It's been a while since I added anything new to the blogroll you see just to the right. I add new blogs to my Bloglines all the time (I'll read just about anything comic-related!), but making the change to my own blog layout is just too much like work, so I haven't done it in a while. So here goes.
An Ear--In The Fireplace!
Good comic commentary including both current books and older titles--very good Silver Age content! The occasional linkblogging always provides excellent additional reading. Recent good stuff: Men are from Krypton, Women are from Themiscyra.
Atomic Anxiety
Primarily comic-related blog with plenty of comic content, including reviews; also includes some discussion of other SF/fantasy media. Recent good stuff: New Avengers 34: Skrulls Need Not Apply.
Atomic Romance
Discussion of comics and other media; enough of the content is comic-related to call it a comic blog, enough isn't to call it a general media blog. Recent good stuff: Green Arrow and Black Canary Wedding Special otherwise known as YUCK.
Batfatty vs. the Chocodiles
Amazing selection of Batman-related media references, toys and collectibles, plenty of things that just make you wonder what the heck went on in marketing when these products were developed. Non-Batman content as well, but overall a real reminder of just how popular Batman was back in the day. Recent good stuff: One for the Ladies...
Bill's House O' Comics
Nice general comic blog, not frequently updated but worthwhile. Recent good stuff: Monday Morning Macking.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Comics I'm thinking of dropping altogether
Just FYI, "dropping altogether" means not getting it at all, even as an eventual trade.
Iron Man. This one is surprising, because I've always liked the title. I started reading IM back in the mid-to-late 70s, back when I was a teenager. As a kid I hadn't cared for him at all, but as a teen I developed an appreciation for Tony's massively flawed character.
I don't think it was the Civil War changes that turned me away from him, because I still enjoy him as shown in Captain America. And besides, it takes more than a hero being a jerk to make me want to avoid a book. What it takes is for me not to be interested in the stories anymore, and I'm not. I can't really point to a reason why, but lately I find myself skimming the title and not really caring what happens next. Good enough reason to drop it, I think.
Fantastic Four. This one is really surprising, because the FF was my favorite book when I started buying my own comics as a kid. And I stuck with it--if I was buying comics at all, I was buying the FF.
Again, the reason for dropping it is that I'm just not enjoying it like I ought to be. It's not the addition of Panther and Storm that did it--I like them about as well as I like Reed and Sue (it was always Ben and Johnny who carried the book for me), and really I had lost interest before their addition.
Green Lantern. After Sinestro Corps, this is probably going away. I just can't get into Hal on his own. If anyone else was featured, we'd keep it--I like Kyle, I like Guy, and I'd be in big trouble with the thirteen-year-old if I skipped a John GL book--but somehow I just can't get into Hal to the point of keeping the book. I think I gave it a fair chance.
Please note that I'm not necessarily dropping these books forever and ever. I'm more than open to picking them up again at some point if I think I'll like them again. I'll continue to read the internet, read reviews and discussion of these titles, so that I'll know when I might want to do so.
I'm not a completist, and I don't really care if I have a full run of most books, but I do have a history of being willing to wait it out if there's a dull storyline because I know it won't be too long until things improve. But for all of these books, I have waited, and I haven't started to enjoy them again.
I'll wait, but I won't wait forever.
Iron Man. This one is surprising, because I've always liked the title. I started reading IM back in the mid-to-late 70s, back when I was a teenager. As a kid I hadn't cared for him at all, but as a teen I developed an appreciation for Tony's massively flawed character.
I don't think it was the Civil War changes that turned me away from him, because I still enjoy him as shown in Captain America. And besides, it takes more than a hero being a jerk to make me want to avoid a book. What it takes is for me not to be interested in the stories anymore, and I'm not. I can't really point to a reason why, but lately I find myself skimming the title and not really caring what happens next. Good enough reason to drop it, I think.
Fantastic Four. This one is really surprising, because the FF was my favorite book when I started buying my own comics as a kid. And I stuck with it--if I was buying comics at all, I was buying the FF.
Again, the reason for dropping it is that I'm just not enjoying it like I ought to be. It's not the addition of Panther and Storm that did it--I like them about as well as I like Reed and Sue (it was always Ben and Johnny who carried the book for me), and really I had lost interest before their addition.
Green Lantern. After Sinestro Corps, this is probably going away. I just can't get into Hal on his own. If anyone else was featured, we'd keep it--I like Kyle, I like Guy, and I'd be in big trouble with the thirteen-year-old if I skipped a John GL book--but somehow I just can't get into Hal to the point of keeping the book. I think I gave it a fair chance.
Please note that I'm not necessarily dropping these books forever and ever. I'm more than open to picking them up again at some point if I think I'll like them again. I'll continue to read the internet, read reviews and discussion of these titles, so that I'll know when I might want to do so.
I'm not a completist, and I don't really care if I have a full run of most books, but I do have a history of being willing to wait it out if there's a dull storyline because I know it won't be too long until things improve. But for all of these books, I have waited, and I haven't started to enjoy them again.
I'll wait, but I won't wait forever.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Secret identity? What secret identity?
The Golden Age notion of secret identity was a little different from today's. As I've probably mentioned elsewhere, while it may have been that Steve Rogers was able to conceal his Captain America role fairly easily, this couldn't have been the case for Bucky. For one thing, what was Bucky's codename? Bucky. They didn't even give him a different codename--they just used the same name that everyone he knew called him by.
And if you, like me, ever wondered whether this made it easier for the bad guys to find him? Yes. Yes, it did.
The villain of this piece wanted to find Bucky, so what did he do? He went to where his civilian identity lived. In a tent. No lockable doors or anything, and yet he's sitting on his cot, in costume, reading comic books. Yeah, the bad guy found him. He doesn't seem particularly bothered by it, but the bad guy found him.
And yet he does try to maintain a secret identity. Here we see Cap covering his face with his shield when Betty Ross shows up and might recognize him. Clearly, they both prefer not to be known. Just as clearly, however, they don't always take any particular steps to prevent discovery.
You know, there's probably no point in trying to find consistency in Golden Age books. But I try. :)
And if you, like me, ever wondered whether this made it easier for the bad guys to find him? Yes. Yes, it did.
The villain of this piece wanted to find Bucky, so what did he do? He went to where his civilian identity lived. In a tent. No lockable doors or anything, and yet he's sitting on his cot, in costume, reading comic books. Yeah, the bad guy found him. He doesn't seem particularly bothered by it, but the bad guy found him.
And yet he does try to maintain a secret identity. Here we see Cap covering his face with his shield when Betty Ross shows up and might recognize him. Clearly, they both prefer not to be known. Just as clearly, however, they don't always take any particular steps to prevent discovery.
You know, there's probably no point in trying to find consistency in Golden Age books. But I try. :)
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Trade-ing up?
I'm thinking about changing over to trade paperbacks for some (maybe most?) of the comics I get. I'm not sure which, yet.
Not Captain America. I can barely make it through a month, no way am I waiting until a trade comes out.
Not Green Lantern Corps.
But Justice Society? Yes, that'll go to trade. I like it but I don't cliffhanger-like it.
Mighty Avengers? Probably. (Assuming it's going to go to trade.)
New Avengers? Undecided.
Cable and Deadpool? Actually, yeah, going to trade. It's a re-reader, everyone in the house likes it, so it's not a downgrade really. The current storyline is neat but I can wait.
'Course this won't actualy happen for a few months, due to the pre-order thing.
And I guess it'll be easier to find room on the bookshelves than in the longboxes.
Not Captain America. I can barely make it through a month, no way am I waiting until a trade comes out.
Not Green Lantern Corps.
But Justice Society? Yes, that'll go to trade. I like it but I don't cliffhanger-like it.
Mighty Avengers? Probably. (Assuming it's going to go to trade.)
New Avengers? Undecided.
Cable and Deadpool? Actually, yeah, going to trade. It's a re-reader, everyone in the house likes it, so it's not a downgrade really. The current storyline is neat but I can wait.
'Course this won't actualy happen for a few months, due to the pre-order thing.
And I guess it'll be easier to find room on the bookshelves than in the longboxes.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Quick thought on superheroes' parents
Ragnell wrote a nice piece on Green Lantern mothers (that is to say, mothers of Green Lanterns, not Green Lanterns who happen to be mothers, although that would also be interesting). She says a lot about the parental roles--what characteristics the parents pass on to their superhero kids, which characteristics tend to come from fathers, which tend to come from mothers, and so forth. I don't disagree with much, if any, of what she says--that it's usually the relationship with the father that's most important in building the hero's character.
From what I've seen in comics, positive parental roles tend to be of two sorts--either the parent provides inspiration or s/he provides support. Rarely does a parent figure provide both.
Think of Spider-Man. Uncle Ben provides (posthumous) inspiration not only in that his death was the essential cause of Spidey's heroism but in his own goodness, providing a strong role model for Peter; Aunt May provides support--she makes food, worries when Peter has a sniffle, worries when he disappears for days on end, etc. Peter loves May but he does not want to be like her, particularly.
Think of Superman. While his values come from having grown up in a close-knit Midwestern family, you don't see Pa Kent urging his son to eat, and you rarely see him worry as Ma does. (I'm sure he does, but he doesn't let on to Clark.)
Iron Man's parents are dead, but think of their respective legacies. His father's influence is seen in Stark International, the family business, where Tony exercises both his business acumen and his scientific skill and creativity. His mother is commemorated with the Maria Stark Foundation, a non-profit, charitable organization which is best known for funding the Avengers, but which also makes donations to assorted good causes.
While some of the discrepancy has to do with the fact that when a hero has only one living parent, it's almost always the father, that doesn't explain it all.
I think it's likely that you don't see mothers as inspirational role models because most of them have already been assigned the support role. And, for some reason, a comic book parent can't seem to do both.
From what I've seen in comics, positive parental roles tend to be of two sorts--either the parent provides inspiration or s/he provides support. Rarely does a parent figure provide both.
Think of Spider-Man. Uncle Ben provides (posthumous) inspiration not only in that his death was the essential cause of Spidey's heroism but in his own goodness, providing a strong role model for Peter; Aunt May provides support--she makes food, worries when Peter has a sniffle, worries when he disappears for days on end, etc. Peter loves May but he does not want to be like her, particularly.
Think of Superman. While his values come from having grown up in a close-knit Midwestern family, you don't see Pa Kent urging his son to eat, and you rarely see him worry as Ma does. (I'm sure he does, but he doesn't let on to Clark.)
Iron Man's parents are dead, but think of their respective legacies. His father's influence is seen in Stark International, the family business, where Tony exercises both his business acumen and his scientific skill and creativity. His mother is commemorated with the Maria Stark Foundation, a non-profit, charitable organization which is best known for funding the Avengers, but which also makes donations to assorted good causes.
While some of the discrepancy has to do with the fact that when a hero has only one living parent, it's almost always the father, that doesn't explain it all.
I think it's likely that you don't see mothers as inspirational role models because most of them have already been assigned the support role. And, for some reason, a comic book parent can't seem to do both.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
What the internet says a fangirl is
Wikipedia has an entry for fan. It has a separate entry for fanboy. It does not have an entry for fangirl--a search will redirect you to fanboy. According to their discussion under "fan"
while the "fanboy" entry says that
Then I looked at the Merriam-Webster Open Dictionary and found this:
This entry gives pretty much the same definition for both fanboy and fangirl, which makes it unique as far as I can tell, particularly since the combined definition includes characteristics that elsewhere are assigned only to "fangirl." That's linguistically unusual, applying the "feminine" characteristics to the broader category, but may have to do with the specific fandom referenced?
Urban Dictionary includes a whole list of competing definitions for "fangirl," some less complimentary than others.
My impression is that while there seems to be a fairly standard definition for "fanboy," the term "fangirl" is used far more broadly and possibly more situationally. I've most often seen it used as a slightly humorous synonym for "female fan," but that may have more to do with the parts of the net I frequent than with anything else, or with the specific realms of fandom I have an interest in. For example, a lot of the "extreme fangirl" examples I've seen referenced online have had to do with fans of anime or manga, neither of which I follow at all.
I do notice that female fans seem to be more open to using the term "fangirl" to refer to themselves, but I don't think that has to do with the term being less potentially derogatory, just less strictly defined and maybe more open to reclamation.
Fangirls tend to be more devoted to emotional and romantic aspects of their fandom, especially shipping...Fangirls of all persuasions are believed to be the largest contributors to fanfiction websites, sometimes disregarding the canon storyline of their fandom or altering it to fit either their own favored romantic pairings; or themselves into the continuity (termed self-insertions or Mary Sues).
while the "fanboy" entry says that
Stereotypical fanboys are attributed with a sycophantic devotion to the creators and principles behind a work with which they are currently enthralled. Fanboys are noted for a very emotional attachment to their chosen subject, often taking negative remarks about it as a personal attack. They will readily engage in debates, but will fall back on emotional responses when challenged on facts...
The term fangirl, while similar, often carries slightly different connotations. The term fangirl is often applied to any enthusiastic female fan, regardless of obsessive qualities or not, and is often used with overtones of "teenybopper".
Then I looked at the Merriam-Webster Open Dictionary and found this:
Fangirl/boy (noun) : A girl/boy that has an obsession [not fatal attraction-like] with a person, place, or thing, sometimes stemming from a TV series. movie, or manga/anime. Symptoms of fangirl/boyism are excessive drooling, squealing, and fan fictions that include the fangirl/fanboy and that person, place, or thing romantically involved. Can also be used as a verb.
n. Alex and Erin are complete fangirls for Kakashi from the manga series "Naruto". v. Cori, stop fanboying over Hinata!
This entry gives pretty much the same definition for both fanboy and fangirl, which makes it unique as far as I can tell, particularly since the combined definition includes characteristics that elsewhere are assigned only to "fangirl." That's linguistically unusual, applying the "feminine" characteristics to the broader category, but may have to do with the specific fandom referenced?
Urban Dictionary includes a whole list of competing definitions for "fangirl," some less complimentary than others.
My impression is that while there seems to be a fairly standard definition for "fanboy," the term "fangirl" is used far more broadly and possibly more situationally. I've most often seen it used as a slightly humorous synonym for "female fan," but that may have more to do with the parts of the net I frequent than with anything else, or with the specific realms of fandom I have an interest in. For example, a lot of the "extreme fangirl" examples I've seen referenced online have had to do with fans of anime or manga, neither of which I follow at all.
I do notice that female fans seem to be more open to using the term "fangirl" to refer to themselves, but I don't think that has to do with the term being less potentially derogatory, just less strictly defined and maybe more open to reclamation.
Monday, September 24, 2007
What is a fangirl, anyway?
I was reading the internet this morning, and came across this post at Nerd in High Heels which discussed, among other things, the definition of "fangirl." Specifically, she discovered that
I'll grant that it's been a few years since anyone would have called me a fangirl (and "fanwoman" just doesn't have the same ring), but is this really true? I like my comics with plenty of character moments (though a plot or some punching is also important), and relationships are part of that, but honestly, I don't look for them outside of what's in the books. "'Shipping" just isn't something I do. (I gather that "'shipping" refers to pairing up characters that aren't actually paired up in the books?) I also don't read fan fiction. I don't think there's anything wrong with it--to each their own, and anything that promotes interest in our small world has to be good, right?--but I'm really only interested in what goes in in the actual books.
I do, of course, come across comic-related blogs with a focus on fan fiction and 'shipping and so forth. It may be that most of this material is generated by female fans. (I don't know this for sure, as I don't gender-check the blogs I read.) But even if that's so, that's not the same thing as it being characteristic of female fans in general, right? Basic logic, right?
does not mean that
Or, to be more specific,
does not mean that
Right? Right.
It just strikes me that if there is a defining characteristic, this isn't it.
Commonly, fangirls are less interested in debates on canon, and more interested in the (often romantic) relationships between fictional characters, such as slash and shipping fanfic.
I'll grant that it's been a few years since anyone would have called me a fangirl (and "fanwoman" just doesn't have the same ring), but is this really true? I like my comics with plenty of character moments (though a plot or some punching is also important), and relationships are part of that, but honestly, I don't look for them outside of what's in the books. "'Shipping" just isn't something I do. (I gather that "'shipping" refers to pairing up characters that aren't actually paired up in the books?) I also don't read fan fiction. I don't think there's anything wrong with it--to each their own, and anything that promotes interest in our small world has to be good, right?--but I'm really only interested in what goes in in the actual books.
I do, of course, come across comic-related blogs with a focus on fan fiction and 'shipping and so forth. It may be that most of this material is generated by female fans. (I don't know this for sure, as I don't gender-check the blogs I read.) But even if that's so, that's not the same thing as it being characteristic of female fans in general, right? Basic logic, right?
All A's are B's.
does not mean that
All B's are A's.
Or, to be more specific,
All relationship-focused fans are women fans.
does not mean that
All women fans are relationship-focused fans.
Right? Right.
It just strikes me that if there is a defining characteristic, this isn't it.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
What I Want: The Marvel December Solicitations
CABLE & DEADPOOL #48
With his best pal gone, Deadpool continues his trek through time and space, spreading friendship and mercenary whoop-@$$ throughout the cosmos. After concluding his mysterious mission for Dr. Strange, Deadpool finds himself in the middle of a Louisiana swamp, confronted by He-Who-Has-Died-Twice, the Master of All Reptiles himself, BROTHER VOODOO. What shenanigans await these two? Find out in “Alone Again, Naturally” part 6!
I do like this book better with less (or no) Cable, so I'm looking forward to this one.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #33
The Winter Soldier faces off against Iron Man!
The man at the top of Bucky's hitlist is finally in his grasp... but saying anything more than that will spoil all our surprises! Still, the final moments of this issue will stun fans just as much as the final moments of Captain America #25 did!
If I had to strip my list to one comic, it'd be Captain America. Every month, it's at the top of the read pile, and I don't see that changing yet.
MS. MARVEL #22
The Brood return! Carol Danvers is alone and powerless on Monster Island, surrounded by creatures that want her blood! Brian Reed (CAPTAIN MARVEL) and Aaron Lopresti (INCREDIBLE HULK) bring you a tale of monsters and the many faces of Ms. Marvel!
Never been a big fan of the Brood, but still liking the book for the most part. I've seen some complaints about the cover, which I don't quite get, although it's nice to actually see Carol's eyes on a cover (on one of the heads, at least--I don't like the white-eye look on Batman and I don't like it on Carol). The thirteen-year-old is pleased at the possibility of seeing Carol as Binary again, though.
NEW AVENGERS #37
It’s the throwdown of the year. The New Avengers versus the Hood's gang of super-villains, bloody, angry and shocking to the end. But still they have to ask: WHO DO YOU TRUST??
Wow, the Skrull stuff is still going on by then? Okay. I like this book well enough that it really isn't in danger, but going by the description I'd guess that there's some narrative treading of water here.
SHE-HULK #24
Want to know what's up with She-Hulk? This is the issue to find out: Visit her new home. Meet her new neighbors. Say hello to her new boss. And share her first encounter with the man who may become her new love interest...or her greatest enemy...or possibly both.
This sounds like a fun issue--the new boss/new home/new neighbors parts, anyway. The new love interest, not so much if it's being announced like this.
THE TWELVE #0
This preview comic features the origin stories of Golden Age greats “Rockman” from USA Comics #1 (August 1941) by Charles Nicholas and Basil Wolverton and the never-before-reprinted “Laughing Mask” by Will Harr and Maurice Gutwirth from Daring Mystery Comics #2 (February 1940) and Phantom Reporter by Mike Robard and Sam Cooper from Daring Mystery Comics #3 (April 1940) along with character sketches and preview pages of the new series The Twelve by J. Michael Straczynski with art by Chris Weston.
Oh yeah. This one I want. Big time. Love Golden Age reprints. :)
Oh, and for a change of pace, what I'm not getting:
ULTIMATES 3, any of them.
The main Ultimates title is the only thing I ever read from the Ultimate universe. I liked it--liked Ultimates 1, liked Ultimates 2. However, by the time I got the last issue of Ultimates 2, I had pretty much lost interest in the story, and the interest has not returned. Therefore, I'm not getting Ultimates 2.
AVENGERS CLASSIC #7
The mighty Avengers face their darkest hour as Iron Man finds himself on trial and an ensorcelled Thor battles his teammate --- with the Enchantress, the Executioner and evil Baron Zemo waiting to pick up the spoils in this extraordinary Marvel epic! Reprinting AVENGERS #7 by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby, with an all-new adventure for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes from writer Dwayne McDuffie (FANTASTIC FOUR) and artist Michael Avon Oeming (POWERS)!
I figured I'd enjoy the backups (I've got the original stories on DVD), but I haven't, not $2.99 of enjoyment anyway.
IRON MAN #24
The mystery of “Haunted” continues as Tony Stark, burdened by the ghosts of his past, journeys back to Omaha to get the answers he isn’t supposed to be searching for.
And I'm tired of Iron Man. The art doesn't appeal, the stories don't appeal, the character (a long-time favorite) no longer appeals. May pick it up again at some point, but right no I'm letting it go.
With his best pal gone, Deadpool continues his trek through time and space, spreading friendship and mercenary whoop-@$$ throughout the cosmos. After concluding his mysterious mission for Dr. Strange, Deadpool finds himself in the middle of a Louisiana swamp, confronted by He-Who-Has-Died-Twice, the Master of All Reptiles himself, BROTHER VOODOO. What shenanigans await these two? Find out in “Alone Again, Naturally” part 6!
I do like this book better with less (or no) Cable, so I'm looking forward to this one.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #33
The Winter Soldier faces off against Iron Man!
The man at the top of Bucky's hitlist is finally in his grasp... but saying anything more than that will spoil all our surprises! Still, the final moments of this issue will stun fans just as much as the final moments of Captain America #25 did!
If I had to strip my list to one comic, it'd be Captain America. Every month, it's at the top of the read pile, and I don't see that changing yet.
MS. MARVEL #22
The Brood return! Carol Danvers is alone and powerless on Monster Island, surrounded by creatures that want her blood! Brian Reed (CAPTAIN MARVEL) and Aaron Lopresti (INCREDIBLE HULK) bring you a tale of monsters and the many faces of Ms. Marvel!
Never been a big fan of the Brood, but still liking the book for the most part. I've seen some complaints about the cover, which I don't quite get, although it's nice to actually see Carol's eyes on a cover (on one of the heads, at least--I don't like the white-eye look on Batman and I don't like it on Carol). The thirteen-year-old is pleased at the possibility of seeing Carol as Binary again, though.
NEW AVENGERS #37
It’s the throwdown of the year. The New Avengers versus the Hood's gang of super-villains, bloody, angry and shocking to the end. But still they have to ask: WHO DO YOU TRUST??
Wow, the Skrull stuff is still going on by then? Okay. I like this book well enough that it really isn't in danger, but going by the description I'd guess that there's some narrative treading of water here.
SHE-HULK #24
Want to know what's up with She-Hulk? This is the issue to find out: Visit her new home. Meet her new neighbors. Say hello to her new boss. And share her first encounter with the man who may become her new love interest...or her greatest enemy...or possibly both.
This sounds like a fun issue--the new boss/new home/new neighbors parts, anyway. The new love interest, not so much if it's being announced like this.
THE TWELVE #0
This preview comic features the origin stories of Golden Age greats “Rockman” from USA Comics #1 (August 1941) by Charles Nicholas and Basil Wolverton and the never-before-reprinted “Laughing Mask” by Will Harr and Maurice Gutwirth from Daring Mystery Comics #2 (February 1940) and Phantom Reporter by Mike Robard and Sam Cooper from Daring Mystery Comics #3 (April 1940) along with character sketches and preview pages of the new series The Twelve by J. Michael Straczynski with art by Chris Weston.
Oh yeah. This one I want. Big time. Love Golden Age reprints. :)
Oh, and for a change of pace, what I'm not getting:
ULTIMATES 3, any of them.
The main Ultimates title is the only thing I ever read from the Ultimate universe. I liked it--liked Ultimates 1, liked Ultimates 2. However, by the time I got the last issue of Ultimates 2, I had pretty much lost interest in the story, and the interest has not returned. Therefore, I'm not getting Ultimates 2.
AVENGERS CLASSIC #7
The mighty Avengers face their darkest hour as Iron Man finds himself on trial and an ensorcelled Thor battles his teammate --- with the Enchantress, the Executioner and evil Baron Zemo waiting to pick up the spoils in this extraordinary Marvel epic! Reprinting AVENGERS #7 by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby, with an all-new adventure for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes from writer Dwayne McDuffie (FANTASTIC FOUR) and artist Michael Avon Oeming (POWERS)!
I figured I'd enjoy the backups (I've got the original stories on DVD), but I haven't, not $2.99 of enjoyment anyway.
IRON MAN #24
The mystery of “Haunted” continues as Tony Stark, burdened by the ghosts of his past, journeys back to Omaha to get the answers he isn’t supposed to be searching for.
And I'm tired of Iron Man. The art doesn't appeal, the stories don't appeal, the character (a long-time favorite) no longer appeals. May pick it up again at some point, but right no I'm letting it go.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
What I Want: The DC December Solicitations
THE ALL-NEW ATOM #18
Things go from bad to worse as the Department of Metahuman Affairs, led by field agent Diana Prince, declares Ivy Town under Martial Law! Even worse, the mind-altering new villain, the Ruffian, wants both the Atom and Wonder Woman dead! Can the combined power of the Tiny Titan and the Amazing Amazon stop this crisis?
Well, I get this title so will probably get this issue, but Wonder Woman isn't really a selling point for me here (I think Ryan's enough of a draw on his own). However, it may be that she is for enough other folks to give this book a boost in sales, and that can't be bad.
BIRDS OF PREY #113
New series writer Sean McKeever (TEEN TITANS) debuts with an issue guest-starring Superman! A high-tech hazard threatens the streets of Metropolis, and a mob boss recently “promoted” is to blame. As the Birds lose control of the situation, Metropolis’s other hero warns Oracle about her future in the City of Tomorrow.
Nothing here to make me stop getting this, although there'd be nothing to bring me to it if I didn't already get it. However, BoP is one of those books I follow for the stories more than the characters, which makes it less safe than some.
GREEN LANTERN #26
In the aftermath of the Sinestro Corps War, the Green Lanterns are undergoing an unprecedented reconstruction and reinvention, and the controversial Alpha-Lantern project is in full effect.
Meanwhile, with Sinestro's true machinations for his war revealed to Earth's prime Green Lanterns, Hal Jordan and John Stewart, debate rages across Oa as lines are drawn and crossed, new bonds are formed, and old ones broken.
If Sinestro Corps is over, I may be dropping the main GL title. Undecided at this time, but I've still got a couple of weeks before I need to think about it.
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #19
The pieces of the Sinestro Corps War are still falling as Guy is finally reunited with his lost love, Ice! And as Kyle Rayner tries to start his new life as a Green Lantern, Sinestro rings continue to empower new and deadlier forces in space.
GLC was already a keeper, and adding Kyle to the title can only improve it.
THE SPIRIT #13
Many elements define the Spirit, but one of the more glamorous is definitely his femmes fatales! In this special issue, featuring spectacular stories from some of the industry’s finest creators, discover a bevy of deadly new beauties!
We'll see. I think I may be tiring of this one, honestly. Short attention span and all that. :) But I do enjoy the modern takes on the old Spirit women, so maybe I'll hold off on that decision.
COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS #21-18
Karate Kid meets an all-new/old OMAC at the Command D bunker! Jimmy Olsen crosses paths with Mister Miracle! Mary Marvel is taken to Paradise Island! One of the Rogues becomes a real drag! Things are changing for the Monitors! And…at long last…Ray Palmer!
I honestly do not know whether I'll be getting this--I like it well enough but is it worth what I'm paying for it? I'm undecided. I like two or three of the storylines so far. And I am kindasorta interested in the Ray Palmer thing--but damn, in addition to the regular Countdown bits, there are a number of "Search for Ray Palmer" titles. Although "Lord Havok and the Extremists" catches my attention because it sounds like an early-eighties band.
Things go from bad to worse as the Department of Metahuman Affairs, led by field agent Diana Prince, declares Ivy Town under Martial Law! Even worse, the mind-altering new villain, the Ruffian, wants both the Atom and Wonder Woman dead! Can the combined power of the Tiny Titan and the Amazing Amazon stop this crisis?
Well, I get this title so will probably get this issue, but Wonder Woman isn't really a selling point for me here (I think Ryan's enough of a draw on his own). However, it may be that she is for enough other folks to give this book a boost in sales, and that can't be bad.
BIRDS OF PREY #113
New series writer Sean McKeever (TEEN TITANS) debuts with an issue guest-starring Superman! A high-tech hazard threatens the streets of Metropolis, and a mob boss recently “promoted” is to blame. As the Birds lose control of the situation, Metropolis’s other hero warns Oracle about her future in the City of Tomorrow.
Nothing here to make me stop getting this, although there'd be nothing to bring me to it if I didn't already get it. However, BoP is one of those books I follow for the stories more than the characters, which makes it less safe than some.
GREEN LANTERN #26
In the aftermath of the Sinestro Corps War, the Green Lanterns are undergoing an unprecedented reconstruction and reinvention, and the controversial Alpha-Lantern project is in full effect.
Meanwhile, with Sinestro's true machinations for his war revealed to Earth's prime Green Lanterns, Hal Jordan and John Stewart, debate rages across Oa as lines are drawn and crossed, new bonds are formed, and old ones broken.
If Sinestro Corps is over, I may be dropping the main GL title. Undecided at this time, but I've still got a couple of weeks before I need to think about it.
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #19
The pieces of the Sinestro Corps War are still falling as Guy is finally reunited with his lost love, Ice! And as Kyle Rayner tries to start his new life as a Green Lantern, Sinestro rings continue to empower new and deadlier forces in space.
GLC was already a keeper, and adding Kyle to the title can only improve it.
THE SPIRIT #13
Many elements define the Spirit, but one of the more glamorous is definitely his femmes fatales! In this special issue, featuring spectacular stories from some of the industry’s finest creators, discover a bevy of deadly new beauties!
We'll see. I think I may be tiring of this one, honestly. Short attention span and all that. :) But I do enjoy the modern takes on the old Spirit women, so maybe I'll hold off on that decision.
COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS #21-18
Karate Kid meets an all-new/old OMAC at the Command D bunker! Jimmy Olsen crosses paths with Mister Miracle! Mary Marvel is taken to Paradise Island! One of the Rogues becomes a real drag! Things are changing for the Monitors! And…at long last…Ray Palmer!
I honestly do not know whether I'll be getting this--I like it well enough but is it worth what I'm paying for it? I'm undecided. I like two or three of the storylines so far. And I am kindasorta interested in the Ray Palmer thing--but damn, in addition to the regular Countdown bits, there are a number of "Search for Ray Palmer" titles. Although "Lord Havok and the Extremists" catches my attention because it sounds like an early-eighties band.
Friday, September 21, 2007
More Golden Age Bucky action
Here's a shot of GA Bucky's first shot at the Red Skull.
Here's hoping to see more of the same, soon.
Here's hoping to see more of the same, soon.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Irredeemable Ant-Man #11 [Spoilers]
This is the second-to-last issue of this title, sadly. :( Also sadly, I don't seem to have a lot to say about it this time.
First thing, Mitch is not a good guy. We already knew that he wasn't a particularly nice guy, but that's probably not that unusual in a SHIELD agent. One would think that SHIELD's intensive psychological testing would have caught on to the fact that he's a sociopath, but then SHIELD has had its own problems over the last few years, and the story is that Mitch is a very good sociopath.
So he has Eric now, hiding him away somewhere in the bowels of the SHIELD helicarrier. (Didn't Tony build a new carrier, though?--seems like the old secret places wouldn't necessarily be there anymore. Anyway...) He tortures him (only after telling his sordid life story) in horrible (and mostly off-panel) ways. He is finally ready to kill him when Iron Man comes to his rescue. Tony clearly isn't inclined to believe Eric's story (unsurprising since it's pretty much totally untrue) but apparently Mitch's was worse, or at least there was no evidence contradicting Eric's version. And apparently SHIELD has no access to "Derek"'s employment records, because at the end of the story Eric is back on duty with SHIELD.
You know, no. There's no way. Tony is up to something.
Oh, and I love the Black Fox. Total awesome.
So, a fair amount of action, not a whole lot of character development. I'd like to have seen what's going on with Abigail, since Eric has been missing for a month. And just how pregnant is Veronica by now?
First thing, Mitch is not a good guy. We already knew that he wasn't a particularly nice guy, but that's probably not that unusual in a SHIELD agent. One would think that SHIELD's intensive psychological testing would have caught on to the fact that he's a sociopath, but then SHIELD has had its own problems over the last few years, and the story is that Mitch is a very good sociopath.
So he has Eric now, hiding him away somewhere in the bowels of the SHIELD helicarrier. (Didn't Tony build a new carrier, though?--seems like the old secret places wouldn't necessarily be there anymore. Anyway...) He tortures him (only after telling his sordid life story) in horrible (and mostly off-panel) ways. He is finally ready to kill him when Iron Man comes to his rescue. Tony clearly isn't inclined to believe Eric's story (unsurprising since it's pretty much totally untrue) but apparently Mitch's was worse, or at least there was no evidence contradicting Eric's version. And apparently SHIELD has no access to "Derek"'s employment records, because at the end of the story Eric is back on duty with SHIELD.
You know, no. There's no way. Tony is up to something.
Oh, and I love the Black Fox. Total awesome.
So, a fair amount of action, not a whole lot of character development. I'd like to have seen what's going on with Abigail, since Eric has been missing for a month. And just how pregnant is Veronica by now?
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Golden Age Cap was a jerk!
Here we see Cap and Bucky, in disguise (Cap is the little old lady), taking a plane to Europe--unlike their appearances in the Invaders comic, GA Cap and Bucky's adventures took place stateside, for the most part. This story was an exception.
Here we see Cap, at the mere suggestion that a fellow passenger "looks like" a Fifth Columnist, socking the suspicious individual in the jaw.
It must have been the monocle.
Here we see Cap, at the mere suggestion that a fellow passenger "looks like" a Fifth Columnist, socking the suspicious individual in the jaw.
It must have been the monocle.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
She-Hulk #20 [Spoilers]
First off, I was never a regular reader of Howard the Duck as a kid, but I did pick it up every once in a while, and thus found the bits of "Stu the Human's" adventures to be rather charming.
But that's beside the point, and not all that pertinent to whether I like this issue.
Mainly this book works on tying up loose ends. Lots of loose ends. Lots of flashbacks. Lots of "oh, so that's what happened there!" It does seem a bit crowded, although that could be only in contrast to the decompressed storytelling we're used to in modern comics; still, you get the sense that this issue is a little rushed in terms of needing to get a lot done very quickly. The husband thought it was terrible, and he generally likes this title well enough although he doesn't necessarily follow it closely. I thought it was all right, although not up to this title's usual quality, and if I were a new reader, picking this issue up would not get me to buy another one.
So now we know what happened to enable Jen to fight as She-Hulk during World War Hulk--and we know that Tony Stark is still a big jerk. We know what happened between Jen and John Jameson, and how he was finally convinced that their marriage was built on shaky ground and they're reallly over now--and we know that John is also something of a jerk. ("I thought I could convince you to change"...?) We know that Stu is all right. We know that Jen is, in fact, pressing her lawsuit against Tony, and I hope she wins, not only because she should but because it would likely set some sort of Registration-related precedent, which can only be good.
But there were also things to like in this issue--the scene where Jen views the DVD that Hawkeye made for her in the event of his deay, saying that he loved her. Very cute, especially Jen's reaction. Although I wonder whether any of the other death DVDs Hawkeye prepared might have expressed similar sentiments--Hawkeye was always crushing on one team member or another back in the day...
So, will we keep getting this after Slott is off the book? We'll see. I like the book. I like the character. I don't know that I like her enough to wait through a bad writing spell, though.
But that's beside the point, and not all that pertinent to whether I like this issue.
Mainly this book works on tying up loose ends. Lots of loose ends. Lots of flashbacks. Lots of "oh, so that's what happened there!" It does seem a bit crowded, although that could be only in contrast to the decompressed storytelling we're used to in modern comics; still, you get the sense that this issue is a little rushed in terms of needing to get a lot done very quickly. The husband thought it was terrible, and he generally likes this title well enough although he doesn't necessarily follow it closely. I thought it was all right, although not up to this title's usual quality, and if I were a new reader, picking this issue up would not get me to buy another one.
So now we know what happened to enable Jen to fight as She-Hulk during World War Hulk--and we know that Tony Stark is still a big jerk. We know what happened between Jen and John Jameson, and how he was finally convinced that their marriage was built on shaky ground and they're reallly over now--and we know that John is also something of a jerk. ("I thought I could convince you to change"...?) We know that Stu is all right. We know that Jen is, in fact, pressing her lawsuit against Tony, and I hope she wins, not only because she should but because it would likely set some sort of Registration-related precedent, which can only be good.
But there were also things to like in this issue--the scene where Jen views the DVD that Hawkeye made for her in the event of his deay, saying that he loved her. Very cute, especially Jen's reaction. Although I wonder whether any of the other death DVDs Hawkeye prepared might have expressed similar sentiments--Hawkeye was always crushing on one team member or another back in the day...
So, will we keep getting this after Slott is off the book? We'll see. I like the book. I like the character. I don't know that I like her enough to wait through a bad writing spell, though.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Birds of Prey #109 [Spoilers]
Not bad. I'd been wondering whether we'd want to continue getting this title after Gail Simone left, and so far I'd say that we do.
I am wondering why Dinah is annoyed at Barbara's telling of her "how I met Green Arrow" story, which as far as I can tell took place before Dinah and Ollie had gotten together. But people aren't always rational about these things, so it isn't unbelievable.
I'm also wondering why Ollie wears cologne while on patrol. Just seems weird.
It was good to hear what's going on with the Secret Six, even if what's going on is that they've apparently split up.
I was awfully sorry to see what happened to Knockout. But was a little confused as to the source of her ire toward Barda--didn't they just emerge from battle with, I don't know, a newfound respect for each other? Called each other sister? Something like that?
And speaking of Barda, why is it implied that she is not happy when Scott teases her about being "the bigger target"? I thought she liked being large and imposing?
So, little complaints so far, nothing that's a deal-breaker. I suppose there's always a period of transition when there's a change in a creative team. Right now I'm happy to ride it out.
I am wondering why Dinah is annoyed at Barbara's telling of her "how I met Green Arrow" story, which as far as I can tell took place before Dinah and Ollie had gotten together. But people aren't always rational about these things, so it isn't unbelievable.
I'm also wondering why Ollie wears cologne while on patrol. Just seems weird.
It was good to hear what's going on with the Secret Six, even if what's going on is that they've apparently split up.
I was awfully sorry to see what happened to Knockout. But was a little confused as to the source of her ire toward Barda--didn't they just emerge from battle with, I don't know, a newfound respect for each other? Called each other sister? Something like that?
And speaking of Barda, why is it implied that she is not happy when Scott teases her about being "the bigger target"? I thought she liked being large and imposing?
So, little complaints so far, nothing that's a deal-breaker. I suppose there's always a period of transition when there's a change in a creative team. Right now I'm happy to ride it out.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Ms. Marvel #18 [Spoilers]
One of the disadvantages of getting one's comics on a monthly basis is that if I don't write about them right away (and often if I do), I'm hopelessly behind the rest of the comic blog community. For example, Ms. Marvel. I'm pretty sure I've seen discussion of #19 online and yet here I am talking about #18.
I haven't seen Machine Man in a comic since sometime in the 80s when he guested in Iron Man; in that story, MM thought that IM, like himself, was mechanical, and had come to Stark Industries for a visit and maybe some advice. This being the middle of Tony's alcoholism storyline, he was quite drunk at the time, assumed that MM was hostile, and armored up to fight the intruder. Hilarity did not quite ensue, but it was certainly a memorable comic.
So I don't really have much background on Machine Man/Aaron, but he's entertaining, so I'm happy to see him here.
Now, the Puppet Master. I have a certain fondness for the character; when I was a kid, my favorite book was Fantastic Four, and he (along with the Mole Man, the Mad Thinker, and the Frightful Four) was among their villains. He was always something of a creepy guy, but his activities in this issue--kidnapping, controlling and selling women--seem to be not quite his usual style. Creepy doesn't necessarily mean sleazy. But apart from the questionable characterization (and I've certainly not read every appearance, so possibly he has used his abilities in this way before in other titles--and if not, it's also possible that he's been doing it all along, just not on-panel) it's a somewhat sensational but not unbelievable application of this power.
It does look like he is primarily motivated by profit--the line "I have male stock...but I find that they sell slower" gives the impression that he customizes his "showroom" depending on the client, which could indicate that this is a professional rather than a personal sleaziness. I'm not sure if that's better or worse, but it does make a little more sense, presenting it as his version of a retirement plan. (Sort of like the struggling artist who turns fifty, realizes he has about five bucks in savings, and takes a job doing commercial design just to ensure his financial future. It's not work he's particularly happy to be doing, but it pays the bills.)
On the other hand, according to the story, he's using a new clay that gives him greater control over his subjects. I took that to mean that he could more easily pass that control on to others (his clients), thereby making his power more saleable than it once was, but it could mean that this is the first time he's been able to make subjects do his bidding to that degree, in which case his his prior failure to promote the sexual use of women (and men) could be put down to lack of opportunity rather than lack of interest. But he's held pretty tight control of subjects before, IIRC, so I'm still leaning toward the first interpretation.
It feels strange to be defending the bad guy (particularly one whose crimes are of this sort) in any way, and certainly Pupper Master has been portrayed with varying degrees of sympathy--he traditionally had a soft spot for stepdaughter Alicia Masters (long-time girlfriend of Ben Grimm/the Thing) but it was always a close call as to whether his desire to defeat the FF or his affection for Alicia would dominate in any story. Certainly he was willing to use her for his own purposes in his plots against the FF on numerous occasions. So his willingness to use strangers for his own profit may not be that much of a leap after all. It's just...the pervy vibe seems like a new thing. Perhaps it's simply a sales technique?
I would also like to add that, while so far not badly done, this is another plot twist that might seem more at home in fan fiction (you know, the type where someone wants a reason to have a character act out of character?).
I haven't seen Machine Man in a comic since sometime in the 80s when he guested in Iron Man; in that story, MM thought that IM, like himself, was mechanical, and had come to Stark Industries for a visit and maybe some advice. This being the middle of Tony's alcoholism storyline, he was quite drunk at the time, assumed that MM was hostile, and armored up to fight the intruder. Hilarity did not quite ensue, but it was certainly a memorable comic.
So I don't really have much background on Machine Man/Aaron, but he's entertaining, so I'm happy to see him here.
Now, the Puppet Master. I have a certain fondness for the character; when I was a kid, my favorite book was Fantastic Four, and he (along with the Mole Man, the Mad Thinker, and the Frightful Four) was among their villains. He was always something of a creepy guy, but his activities in this issue--kidnapping, controlling and selling women--seem to be not quite his usual style. Creepy doesn't necessarily mean sleazy. But apart from the questionable characterization (and I've certainly not read every appearance, so possibly he has used his abilities in this way before in other titles--and if not, it's also possible that he's been doing it all along, just not on-panel) it's a somewhat sensational but not unbelievable application of this power.
It does look like he is primarily motivated by profit--the line "I have male stock...but I find that they sell slower" gives the impression that he customizes his "showroom" depending on the client, which could indicate that this is a professional rather than a personal sleaziness. I'm not sure if that's better or worse, but it does make a little more sense, presenting it as his version of a retirement plan. (Sort of like the struggling artist who turns fifty, realizes he has about five bucks in savings, and takes a job doing commercial design just to ensure his financial future. It's not work he's particularly happy to be doing, but it pays the bills.)
On the other hand, according to the story, he's using a new clay that gives him greater control over his subjects. I took that to mean that he could more easily pass that control on to others (his clients), thereby making his power more saleable than it once was, but it could mean that this is the first time he's been able to make subjects do his bidding to that degree, in which case his his prior failure to promote the sexual use of women (and men) could be put down to lack of opportunity rather than lack of interest. But he's held pretty tight control of subjects before, IIRC, so I'm still leaning toward the first interpretation.
It feels strange to be defending the bad guy (particularly one whose crimes are of this sort) in any way, and certainly Pupper Master has been portrayed with varying degrees of sympathy--he traditionally had a soft spot for stepdaughter Alicia Masters (long-time girlfriend of Ben Grimm/the Thing) but it was always a close call as to whether his desire to defeat the FF or his affection for Alicia would dominate in any story. Certainly he was willing to use her for his own purposes in his plots against the FF on numerous occasions. So his willingness to use strangers for his own profit may not be that much of a leap after all. It's just...the pervy vibe seems like a new thing. Perhaps it's simply a sales technique?
I would also like to add that, while so far not badly done, this is another plot twist that might seem more at home in fan fiction (you know, the type where someone wants a reason to have a character act out of character?).
Friday, September 14, 2007
Captain America #29 [Spoilers]
This title continues to please, balancing the different characters and storylines in such a way that you never lose interest in any of them. It's good stuff, all of it.
Tony Stark's reaction to Sin's raid and rescue mission was low-key and nicely done, giving an excellent sense of just how weary Tony is these days. You get the sense that while he has never led a stress-free life, heading SHIELD is something entirely new.
I'm glad that, at least, Sin was not excised from Crossbones' memory. Although I suppose Faustus could have done something similar to what he did with Sharon, and given Sin a code to return Brock's memories as well, now that they don't need to be hidden.
The Black Widow section was one of my favorite parts of the book, from her effortless beat-down on an entire bar to her easy movement along the rooftops, to that "aha!" moment we see at the end of it. Although I'm wondering whether I'm missing something about her current background--that bit where she stares down the fellow with the pool cue. When he backs down, she curls her lip and says "Men...Pfffft..." As far as I know Natasha has no problem with or specific scorn for the male sex itself, so it seemed like an odd phrasing.
The Winter Soldier, again as always, was highly entertaining. (By the way, he spends an awful lot of time hanging out in bars, doesn't he?). There are just some wonderful moments in his segments--crashing into Kronas, realizing that something's up with Lukin but attacking immediately anyway, the expression on Lukin's face as WS accuses him of working with the Red Skull, and his own realization of what's really going on there. He's got to be thinking that if he'd just waited a moment when he noticed that Lukin was a bit "off" he might have been in a better situation there.
And speaking of Lukin and Skull, their interaction was one of the highlights of the issue. If we didn't know which was on top before, we do now--you'll notice that when WS hears part of their conversation through Lukin, it's the Skull's words that he hears, not Lukin's.
I'm definitely enjoying the Sharon Carter action hero sequences here. She can hold her own--well, she could apart from the Faust-induced flashbacks. And Black Widow is going to tell Tony that they're after the WS as well? That's potentially not good.
You know, I'm sure that eventually I'll have something negative to say about this title, but not this month.
Tony Stark's reaction to Sin's raid and rescue mission was low-key and nicely done, giving an excellent sense of just how weary Tony is these days. You get the sense that while he has never led a stress-free life, heading SHIELD is something entirely new.
I'm glad that, at least, Sin was not excised from Crossbones' memory. Although I suppose Faustus could have done something similar to what he did with Sharon, and given Sin a code to return Brock's memories as well, now that they don't need to be hidden.
The Black Widow section was one of my favorite parts of the book, from her effortless beat-down on an entire bar to her easy movement along the rooftops, to that "aha!" moment we see at the end of it. Although I'm wondering whether I'm missing something about her current background--that bit where she stares down the fellow with the pool cue. When he backs down, she curls her lip and says "Men...Pfffft..." As far as I know Natasha has no problem with or specific scorn for the male sex itself, so it seemed like an odd phrasing.
The Winter Soldier, again as always, was highly entertaining. (By the way, he spends an awful lot of time hanging out in bars, doesn't he?). There are just some wonderful moments in his segments--crashing into Kronas, realizing that something's up with Lukin but attacking immediately anyway, the expression on Lukin's face as WS accuses him of working with the Red Skull, and his own realization of what's really going on there. He's got to be thinking that if he'd just waited a moment when he noticed that Lukin was a bit "off" he might have been in a better situation there.
And speaking of Lukin and Skull, their interaction was one of the highlights of the issue. If we didn't know which was on top before, we do now--you'll notice that when WS hears part of their conversation through Lukin, it's the Skull's words that he hears, not Lukin's.
I'm definitely enjoying the Sharon Carter action hero sequences here. She can hold her own--well, she could apart from the Faust-induced flashbacks. And Black Widow is going to tell Tony that they're after the WS as well? That's potentially not good.
You know, I'm sure that eventually I'll have something negative to say about this title, but not this month.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
So from what I've seen of what I don't have in hand yet... [Spoilers]
Monthly comics and all that means I don't make a big deal about spoilers. I read them, when I come across them. Which means that, yes, I've seen some of Countdown 33 although I won't actually have it for weeks yet.
I was a little apprehensive, a while back, when I read on Newsarama that the storyline with Donna and Jason and Kyle was going to have some triangle action:
I've got to say that isn't interesting to me. From what I've seen, Jason and Donna would be interesting together, but bringing in the triangle aspect? Not so much. But, you know, maybe it could be done well?
Only from what I've seen (and it's just scanned spoilage from somewhere so I haven't read the whole thing yet so could be wrong), there's a good deal of sniping back and forth between Jason and Kyle, which is tedious.
My thought is that Donna should see that going on, roll her eyes, and keep them both at arm's length for the foreseeable future.
I was a little apprehensive, a while back, when I read on Newsarama that the storyline with Donna and Jason and Kyle was going to have some triangle action:
One of the things we’re going to be doing in this book—is this sort of triangle—between Jason, Kyle, and Donna. Jason Todd and Kyle Rayner are not going get along. I think in a lot of ways Kyle is the good ex-boyfriend and Jason is the somewhat alluring bad boy—and the bad boy and the good ex-boyfriend never ever get along.
I've got to say that isn't interesting to me. From what I've seen, Jason and Donna would be interesting together, but bringing in the triangle aspect? Not so much. But, you know, maybe it could be done well?
Only from what I've seen (and it's just scanned spoilage from somewhere so I haven't read the whole thing yet so could be wrong), there's a good deal of sniping back and forth between Jason and Kyle, which is tedious.
My thought is that Donna should see that going on, roll her eyes, and keep them both at arm's length for the foreseeable future.
Green Lantern Corps #15 [Spoilers] - Sinestro Corps War, Part 5
So it's Mogo who is responsible for a lot of the basic Green Lantern administration, in that he guides rings to new bearers? That's interesting--I'd always assumed that it was something built into the rings themselves, although I suppose it must be a relatively new thing because that's not how Hal got his (or Kyle, although that was a special case). You know, due to the fact that a lot of the time, if a ring needed a new bearer the situation would have been pretty chaotic anyway.
As promised, excellent battle scenes between the two corps.
And a short but excellent Soranik Natu scene, as she is in fact able to leave Korugar (Sinestro underestimated her, didn't he? :)) and is on her way to join the Lanterns in battle.
As promised, excellent battle scenes between the two corps.
And a short but excellent Soranik Natu scene, as she is in fact able to leave Korugar (Sinestro underestimated her, didn't he? :)) and is on her way to join the Lanterns in battle.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Green Lantern #22 [Spoilers] - Sinestro Corps War, Part 4
I remember Ami talking about evil=sexy (not to be confused with sexy=evil, which is a whole other can of worms), and was reminded of that while reading this issue--you know, Kyle would have been a perfect candidate for some male evil sexiness. But then they had to do that thing with the teeth, and ew.
Anyway. I enjoyed quite a bit of this issue. Hal's attitude, for example--the way he tries to ensure that the other Lanterns don't blame Kyle for Parallax's actions the way that he was. (And I'm not sure why they seem to be having trouble with the concept--it's not as if Parallax is even pretending to actually be Kyle.) The scene where Parallax kills Chance and his ring immediately goes off to seek a new bearer, only to be caught and crushed--that's a strong image.
And I figure that the continual reiteration of the fact that Parallax is not Kyle is there primarily to help with Hal's image, since essentially the same thing happened to him, but it should also help ensure that Kyle doesn't get the same treatment when this is all over.
I do have one little complaint, though--back in GLC 14, when Soranik Natu attempted to use deadly force, the ring stopped her by, essentially, misfiring. She still has normal use of it afterwards. Here, when Boodika tries to do the same thing, her ring shuts off entirely and the other Lanterns have to carry and protect her for the rest of the issue. That's a pretty major inconsistency, isn't it?
Anyway. I enjoyed quite a bit of this issue. Hal's attitude, for example--the way he tries to ensure that the other Lanterns don't blame Kyle for Parallax's actions the way that he was. (And I'm not sure why they seem to be having trouble with the concept--it's not as if Parallax is even pretending to actually be Kyle.) The scene where Parallax kills Chance and his ring immediately goes off to seek a new bearer, only to be caught and crushed--that's a strong image.
And I figure that the continual reiteration of the fact that Parallax is not Kyle is there primarily to help with Hal's image, since essentially the same thing happened to him, but it should also help ensure that Kyle doesn't get the same treatment when this is all over.
I do have one little complaint, though--back in GLC 14, when Soranik Natu attempted to use deadly force, the ring stopped her by, essentially, misfiring. She still has normal use of it afterwards. Here, when Boodika tries to do the same thing, her ring shuts off entirely and the other Lanterns have to carry and protect her for the rest of the issue. That's a pretty major inconsistency, isn't it?
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Green Lantern Corps #14 [Spoilers] - Sinestro Corps War Part 3
Unlike the main GL title, this book has never been in any danger of being dropped, so the Sinestro Corps content is just a bonus.
As is the focus on Soranik Natu. The scene where one of Korugar's political factions attempts to use her for its own purpose is brief but well done, you get a sense of her frustration.
So, this thing where the Green Lantern rings just refuse to work when the wearer is trying to use lethal force. Is that a new thing? I seem to recall that Kyle destroyed life in that Green Lantern/Aliens thing, although I suppose that may not have been part of regular continuity. And how does it determine whether the intended force is deadly--intent? Does it therefore protect only against intentional but not accidental deadly force? In any case, why not reduce the force rather than deflect the missile entirely? I'm seeing a design flaw here.
And Sinestro's "victory" against Natu--chilling. He's taken her out of the battle by binding her to her planet. I hope to see her able to transcend this.
Particularly, I'm enjoying that the Sinestro Corps seems to have the same diversity of membership as the Green Lantern Corps. That makes sense, since there would be individuals motivated by power as well as by duty throughout the universe--but it will also make for some great fight scenes!
As is the focus on Soranik Natu. The scene where one of Korugar's political factions attempts to use her for its own purpose is brief but well done, you get a sense of her frustration.
So, this thing where the Green Lantern rings just refuse to work when the wearer is trying to use lethal force. Is that a new thing? I seem to recall that Kyle destroyed life in that Green Lantern/Aliens thing, although I suppose that may not have been part of regular continuity. And how does it determine whether the intended force is deadly--intent? Does it therefore protect only against intentional but not accidental deadly force? In any case, why not reduce the force rather than deflect the missile entirely? I'm seeing a design flaw here.
And Sinestro's "victory" against Natu--chilling. He's taken her out of the battle by binding her to her planet. I hope to see her able to transcend this.
Particularly, I'm enjoying that the Sinestro Corps seems to have the same diversity of membership as the Green Lantern Corps. That makes sense, since there would be individuals motivated by power as well as by duty throughout the universe--but it will also make for some great fight scenes!
Monday, September 10, 2007
Good Green Lantern News! [Spoilers, Presumably]
Newsarama has this article up that made me quite cheery for a change (more often lately, comic news makes me somewhat nervous); it's about the future of Green Lantern Corps after the Sinestro Corps thing, and it says this:
I'm glad to see that not only are (apparently) most of my GLC favorites (yay Natu!) still around, but they're adding Kyle to the mix, which should be a lot of fun. :)
The main line up will be Guy, Kilowog, Arisia, Salaak, Soranik, Iolande, Vath, and Isamot, but the one major difference is that Kyle will be a major part of the book from here on in as was originally planned when I launched Corps with Geoff, Dave, and Patrick Gleason back in GL Corps Recharge. We had to pull Kyle out back then due to some major DCU event, but now he's back where he belongs, partnered up with Guy and getting on each others nerves.
I'm glad to see that not only are (apparently) most of my GLC favorites (yay Natu!) still around, but they're adding Kyle to the mix, which should be a lot of fun. :)
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Green Lantern #21 [Spoilers] - Sinestro Corps War Part 2
(I'm going to try to catch up on discussing the Sinestro Corps books, so there will be a few of them.)
I had been thinking of letting this title go--just not a big fan of that last storyline, I guess--but I'll be holding on to it for at least as long as Sinestro Corps is going on, obviously.
I'm also not all that big of a fan of Hal in general, but I'm liking him in this story. I particularly like his acceptance of the disdain of the Lost Lanterns--that he understands why they react toward him as they do, and doesn't get angry about it, even thought they've surely been informed of the specifics, that he was simply a host for the Parallax entity. That he accepts that, while they ought to know better, they're just not able to make that separation emotionally.
I do have one question, though. And since I don't have much personal familiarity with military or law-enforcement organizations, I'm not sure that this is a good question about the GLC, but here it is.
Does there have to be a "greatest" Green Lantern? Is it necessary that there be one whose light shines "brighter than the rest," as Ganthet suggests to Hal that his must? It's the same reason I didn't care for the recent concept of Ion as the next generation of Green Lanterns--here's a diverse group of individuals, working as a team, not necessarily as equals across the board, obviously, but connected in a significant way by their commitment and sense of duty. That's the strength of the concept, for me. It seems sort of...well, counter-intuitive that there should be someone singled out as particularly special, or better than the rest. It also seems counter-productive; the way GLs (the ones who lack their own comic books, anyway) tend to get killed off, you wouldn't want one who is irreplaceable, would you?
Oh, and Kyle's Parallax costume? Dump the cape and the shoulder armor, tweak the mask a bit, and that's actually a pretty sharp-looking outfit.
I had been thinking of letting this title go--just not a big fan of that last storyline, I guess--but I'll be holding on to it for at least as long as Sinestro Corps is going on, obviously.
I'm also not all that big of a fan of Hal in general, but I'm liking him in this story. I particularly like his acceptance of the disdain of the Lost Lanterns--that he understands why they react toward him as they do, and doesn't get angry about it, even thought they've surely been informed of the specifics, that he was simply a host for the Parallax entity. That he accepts that, while they ought to know better, they're just not able to make that separation emotionally.
I do have one question, though. And since I don't have much personal familiarity with military or law-enforcement organizations, I'm not sure that this is a good question about the GLC, but here it is.
Does there have to be a "greatest" Green Lantern? Is it necessary that there be one whose light shines "brighter than the rest," as Ganthet suggests to Hal that his must? It's the same reason I didn't care for the recent concept of Ion as the next generation of Green Lanterns--here's a diverse group of individuals, working as a team, not necessarily as equals across the board, obviously, but connected in a significant way by their commitment and sense of duty. That's the strength of the concept, for me. It seems sort of...well, counter-intuitive that there should be someone singled out as particularly special, or better than the rest. It also seems counter-productive; the way GLs (the ones who lack their own comic books, anyway) tend to get killed off, you wouldn't want one who is irreplaceable, would you?
Oh, and Kyle's Parallax costume? Dump the cape and the shoulder armor, tweak the mask a bit, and that's actually a pretty sharp-looking outfit.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Marvel Legends Action Figures: Quicksilver and Yellowjacket
I think that Hasbro is starting to get the hang of these things. After my disappointment with the first batch (particularly the Emma Frost, which was dreadful), I'm glad to see so much improvement. They are still not as articulated as the originals, which is too bad, but they are still pretty good toys. We're only getting these two figures from this set, so it may be that the others aren't so nice, but we're pretty happy with these two.
Quicksilver
Good paint job--the white on blue could have been problematic but it looks great. He's very pale, but it looks better on him than it did on Banshee. The head is very good, and the face has just the right degree of arrogance; even the hair looks right. And he is playable--good joint movement, not too tight or too loose. Very nice figure.
Yellowjacket
Another very nice figure, with a good paint job--no smears, everything crisp--and a very nice range of movement. Movable, playable. According to the twelve-year-old, "he's perfect, he does everything right!" (Probably the first time anyone's said that about Hank Pym lately...)
Quicksilver
Good paint job--the white on blue could have been problematic but it looks great. He's very pale, but it looks better on him than it did on Banshee. The head is very good, and the face has just the right degree of arrogance; even the hair looks right. And he is playable--good joint movement, not too tight or too loose. Very nice figure.
Yellowjacket
Another very nice figure, with a good paint job--no smears, everything crisp--and a very nice range of movement. Movable, playable. According to the twelve-year-old, "he's perfect, he does everything right!" (Probably the first time anyone's said that about Hank Pym lately...)
Friday, September 07, 2007
Who Wants To Be A Superhero, Week 7, Season 2 (Finale) [Spoilers]
A little late for the girls to be up on a school night, but they've been watching it since it started so they got to see it. It's a totally kid-friendly show, so I'm a little surprised it wasn't aired at 8 instead of 9 to start with, but I've never claimed to understand the mysteries of television programming.
The first hour featured another task very similar to one of the first season challenges as the heroes had to don protective gear and face down three trained attack dogs. This time the goal was to stop "giant evil Stan" in his tracks by canceling his power source--but to do so they had to get through those dogs. Hygena, having been criticized for not taking enough initiative in past shows, had a plan in mind that involved using herself as bait to distract the dogs while the others completed the mission, and I imagine it must have been terrifying being dragged around as she was. The Defuser, a big guy, was best able to muscle his way through, but Hyper-Strike did well as well.
In fact, all three heroes did well at the first challenge, just as all three were tripped up during the second one, which involved being interviewed for a talk show (by Kennedy, of MTV fame if you're old enough to remember that). They all knew, from past challenges, that they weren't supposed to reveal their non-super name, and none did. However, they were all pretty free with other personal information when talking with the makeup artist, all at least revealing where they were from. So that didn't go so well for the heroes.
The first elimination was a pleasant surprise when Stan declined to send anyone home at that point--I don't know whether this had to do with actual performance or with the three-hero dynamic being more interesting than a contest between two heroes would have been.
But the second hour was a bit on the dull side. First, like last year, the heroes were sent for some training in "stunt fighting" and the art of looking good on camera. The athletic Hyper-Strike excelled here, but this didn't really seem to be a challenge per se. After that, they each had a personal interview with Stan, which I found to be a bit uncomfortable in that there was a certain Queen for a Day vibe, as if the show's editors chose to focus on the most tragic aspects of the contestant's life. That said, I felt a great deal for Hygena during this part, and was impressed with the degree the Defuser had internalized the superhero as a role model, so apparently it's an effective technique.
Finally, the contestants were taken into public, where each was reunited with friends and family members, praised by Stan, and cheered by the crowds. The winner this season was the Defuser--honestly I wouldn't have been surprised at any contestant's win, but certainly he made a strong showing throughout the show.
The girls liked it, although neither had a real favorite even at this point in the show. The eight-year-old, however, found the suspense almost unbearable while waiting for Stan to announce the winner, so for her sake I'm glad the season is over now. :)
The first hour featured another task very similar to one of the first season challenges as the heroes had to don protective gear and face down three trained attack dogs. This time the goal was to stop "giant evil Stan" in his tracks by canceling his power source--but to do so they had to get through those dogs. Hygena, having been criticized for not taking enough initiative in past shows, had a plan in mind that involved using herself as bait to distract the dogs while the others completed the mission, and I imagine it must have been terrifying being dragged around as she was. The Defuser, a big guy, was best able to muscle his way through, but Hyper-Strike did well as well.
In fact, all three heroes did well at the first challenge, just as all three were tripped up during the second one, which involved being interviewed for a talk show (by Kennedy, of MTV fame if you're old enough to remember that). They all knew, from past challenges, that they weren't supposed to reveal their non-super name, and none did. However, they were all pretty free with other personal information when talking with the makeup artist, all at least revealing where they were from. So that didn't go so well for the heroes.
The first elimination was a pleasant surprise when Stan declined to send anyone home at that point--I don't know whether this had to do with actual performance or with the three-hero dynamic being more interesting than a contest between two heroes would have been.
But the second hour was a bit on the dull side. First, like last year, the heroes were sent for some training in "stunt fighting" and the art of looking good on camera. The athletic Hyper-Strike excelled here, but this didn't really seem to be a challenge per se. After that, they each had a personal interview with Stan, which I found to be a bit uncomfortable in that there was a certain Queen for a Day vibe, as if the show's editors chose to focus on the most tragic aspects of the contestant's life. That said, I felt a great deal for Hygena during this part, and was impressed with the degree the Defuser had internalized the superhero as a role model, so apparently it's an effective technique.
Finally, the contestants were taken into public, where each was reunited with friends and family members, praised by Stan, and cheered by the crowds. The winner this season was the Defuser--honestly I wouldn't have been surprised at any contestant's win, but certainly he made a strong showing throughout the show.
The girls liked it, although neither had a real favorite even at this point in the show. The eight-year-old, however, found the suspense almost unbearable while waiting for Stan to announce the winner, so for her sake I'm glad the season is over now. :)
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Young Avengers Heroclix
So the twelve-year-old and I played a game of Heroclix last weekend, 1500 points, because we could (because the eight-year-old wasn't interested). I think it took somewhere between 6 and 7 hours, not counting a dinner break. I don't think I've played a game for that long since college!
Anyway, we'd gotten the Young Avengers figures, and she chose Stature (Cassie Lang) for her team. (We played a Marvel vs. DC game, and she trounced me as soundly as she generally does.) Stature has an awesome Heroclix figure.
See, awesome. Imposing, ready for action--any sensible villain would get out of the way!
I totally want an actual action figure of her like this, snarl and all.
However, there was no figure of Kate Bishop/Hawkeye in the set*--what's up with that? They've got all the boys (except Wiccan's brother whose name I forget, and is he really on the team anyway, it's been so long since I've seen them that I've forgotten...), and Kate joined up at around the same point Cassie did.
* For the non-Heroclix folks, the "set" referred to is the latest set of Marvel game pieces, the Avengers set. Heroclix sets are only roughly thematic, and this set also featured a number of Invaders pieces (I snatched up Bucky, Toro, Spitfire, Union Jack, and Blazing Skull and the Thin Man to boot) but no Original Human Torch, so I suppose I should complain about that as well.
Anyway, we'd gotten the Young Avengers figures, and she chose Stature (Cassie Lang) for her team. (We played a Marvel vs. DC game, and she trounced me as soundly as she generally does.) Stature has an awesome Heroclix figure.
See, awesome. Imposing, ready for action--any sensible villain would get out of the way!
I totally want an actual action figure of her like this, snarl and all.
However, there was no figure of Kate Bishop/Hawkeye in the set*--what's up with that? They've got all the boys (except Wiccan's brother whose name I forget, and is he really on the team anyway, it's been so long since I've seen them that I've forgotten...), and Kate joined up at around the same point Cassie did.
* For the non-Heroclix folks, the "set" referred to is the latest set of Marvel game pieces, the Avengers set. Heroclix sets are only roughly thematic, and this set also featured a number of Invaders pieces (I snatched up Bucky, Toro, Spitfire, Union Jack, and Blazing Skull and the Thin Man to boot) but no Original Human Torch, so I suppose I should complain about that as well.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
More Golden Age Bucky
I've been rereading my Captain America reprints, just because they're fun. And although most of the time it was Cap who ended up rescuing Bucky, here's a scene of Bucky saving his hash for a change.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Love Lives of the Golden Age
It's true, as I've mentioned elsewhere, that the Golden Age heroes spent a lot less time anguishing about their various problems than their Silver Age counterparts did. Part of this is due to simple lack of time--the stories were typically very compressed, and when you're trying to fit a whole plot into a handful of pages you're not going to include much pining.
Part had to do, I expect, with Hollywood themes being mirrored by the comics--the strong, silent hero, capable of almost anything but clumsy and tongue-tied around women. Think Jimmy Stewart. Think Gary Cooper. It was a way of humanizing the main character by giving him a flaw that had no effect on his heroism.
Part may have had to do with the perceived audience for comic books--young boys who would have found romantic scenes icky in the extreme. But during WWII comics were also fairly popular among soldiers overseas, so that can't be the sole reason.
My favorite Golden Age "relationship" is that between Captain America (and his alter ego Steve Rogers) and federal agent Betty Ross. Not to be confused with Silver Age Hulk love interest Betty Ross. I imagine that Bruce's Betty's existence is the reason Cap's Betty never reappeared--even in the pages of The Invaders, where Namor's Betty did make a guest appearance. I'm guessing that Betty was a very popular name in the 40s?
While Steve might give some thought to making a move on Betty (although thinking it isn't quite the same as doing it), Captain America was having none of it. In fact, he did his best to avoid any contact with Betty at all that didn't involve rescuing her.
Like this:
And like this:
Steve out of mask was more willing to give Betty the time of day, but (in typical Golden and Silver Age style) she wasn't interested.
I suppose it's understandable, given Betty's reaction to his less colorful self, that Cap was less than receptive to her advances when in costume. However, it doesn't seem to have been a rational decision--indeed, when she does manage to get her hands on him, he's pretty rattled:
Some other time. Heh. Right. It's a good thing for the women of the Silver Age and later that Cap eventually got over that shyness.
Part had to do, I expect, with Hollywood themes being mirrored by the comics--the strong, silent hero, capable of almost anything but clumsy and tongue-tied around women. Think Jimmy Stewart. Think Gary Cooper. It was a way of humanizing the main character by giving him a flaw that had no effect on his heroism.
Part may have had to do with the perceived audience for comic books--young boys who would have found romantic scenes icky in the extreme. But during WWII comics were also fairly popular among soldiers overseas, so that can't be the sole reason.
My favorite Golden Age "relationship" is that between Captain America (and his alter ego Steve Rogers) and federal agent Betty Ross. Not to be confused with Silver Age Hulk love interest Betty Ross. I imagine that Bruce's Betty's existence is the reason Cap's Betty never reappeared--even in the pages of The Invaders, where Namor's Betty did make a guest appearance. I'm guessing that Betty was a very popular name in the 40s?
While Steve might give some thought to making a move on Betty (although thinking it isn't quite the same as doing it), Captain America was having none of it. In fact, he did his best to avoid any contact with Betty at all that didn't involve rescuing her.
Like this:
And like this:
Steve out of mask was more willing to give Betty the time of day, but (in typical Golden and Silver Age style) she wasn't interested.
I suppose it's understandable, given Betty's reaction to his less colorful self, that Cap was less than receptive to her advances when in costume. However, it doesn't seem to have been a rational decision--indeed, when she does manage to get her hands on him, he's pretty rattled:
Some other time. Heh. Right. It's a good thing for the women of the Silver Age and later that Cap eventually got over that shyness.
Monday, September 03, 2007
A Golden Age Bucky Moment
For anyone who thought that the recent take on Bucky's WWII career may have been too violent, here's a panel of Golden Age Bucky's reaction to weaponry:
Just for fun :).
Just for fun :).
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Who Wants To Be A Superhero, Week Six, Season Two [Spoilers]
Didn't last season have only six episodes in total? This being episode six means that this season will have seven or eight, right?
This episode was the kid episode, the one that took the players to an elementary school. Last year they just had to win the kids over; this year they had to work with the kids to solve a code. And working with the kids turned out to be the important part of the challenge, which became a problem for Parthenon later in the show.
This episode also featured "evil Stan," a cute nod to a theme we've seen many, many times in comics. Evil Stan directed the heroes to perform tasks that ranged from nonsensical to potentially dangerous. Presumably the test was to see at what point the heroes would realize they were being asked to do unheroic things and say "no." But none did, and honestly this wasn't at all surprising because Stan is always asking them to do things that don't necessarily make a lot of sense at the time. Second-guessing him generally leads to trouble. So if they all failed this one, well, duh.
As for the elimination, I was a surprised (and a little disappointed) to see Parthenon go. He did have problems this episode, but he's made an excellent showing in the challenges throughout the rest of the show, so eliminating him due to what happened in this one episode seemed a little unbalanced to me (I thought that performance as a whole was what counted, although since that would mean that the later in the season, the less important any one task would be, so perhaps I'm wrong there?). As far as challenge performance goes, I'd have expected Hygena to go, although I quite like her in other respects. It's certainly further evidence of the subjectivity of the decisions. I'm not totally complaining about the subjectivity, mind--I think it makes an interesting dynamic, that whole "What will Stan like today?" thing. I imagine it was nerve-wracking for the contestants, being constantly presented with conflicting options, any of which could have been the "right" thing to do but having no way to know which Stan will value most for that particular challenge.
One thing that did occur to me--and I'm not saying anything about Stan's choices, just that it's interesting to note this--is that both last season and this season, the last remaining woman in the competition was someone whose hero "theme" had to do with a traditionally feminine role. Fat Momma, of course, has a parental focus (although she's not the only contestant who has had the care and safety of children as a specific concern), and Hygena has a housecleaning focus. Not that there's anything wrong with being a mother or a homemaker (I'm the last person to imply that!), and I liked both characters, just that it's interesting that that's who made the final cut both years.
This episode was the kid episode, the one that took the players to an elementary school. Last year they just had to win the kids over; this year they had to work with the kids to solve a code. And working with the kids turned out to be the important part of the challenge, which became a problem for Parthenon later in the show.
This episode also featured "evil Stan," a cute nod to a theme we've seen many, many times in comics. Evil Stan directed the heroes to perform tasks that ranged from nonsensical to potentially dangerous. Presumably the test was to see at what point the heroes would realize they were being asked to do unheroic things and say "no." But none did, and honestly this wasn't at all surprising because Stan is always asking them to do things that don't necessarily make a lot of sense at the time. Second-guessing him generally leads to trouble. So if they all failed this one, well, duh.
As for the elimination, I was a surprised (and a little disappointed) to see Parthenon go. He did have problems this episode, but he's made an excellent showing in the challenges throughout the rest of the show, so eliminating him due to what happened in this one episode seemed a little unbalanced to me (I thought that performance as a whole was what counted, although since that would mean that the later in the season, the less important any one task would be, so perhaps I'm wrong there?). As far as challenge performance goes, I'd have expected Hygena to go, although I quite like her in other respects. It's certainly further evidence of the subjectivity of the decisions. I'm not totally complaining about the subjectivity, mind--I think it makes an interesting dynamic, that whole "What will Stan like today?" thing. I imagine it was nerve-wracking for the contestants, being constantly presented with conflicting options, any of which could have been the "right" thing to do but having no way to know which Stan will value most for that particular challenge.
One thing that did occur to me--and I'm not saying anything about Stan's choices, just that it's interesting to note this--is that both last season and this season, the last remaining woman in the competition was someone whose hero "theme" had to do with a traditionally feminine role. Fat Momma, of course, has a parental focus (although she's not the only contestant who has had the care and safety of children as a specific concern), and Hygena has a housecleaning focus. Not that there's anything wrong with being a mother or a homemaker (I'm the last person to imply that!), and I liked both characters, just that it's interesting that that's who made the final cut both years.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Event Burnout Again
I know I talked about this already. Since then I've dropped The Initiative and re-picked-up Countdown. Probably not an even trade, financially speaking. :)
I've seen similar comments from other comic bloggers.
Now Newsarama and Sequentially Speaking are both talking about it. That's got to mean it's a real phenomenon, doesn't it? Although I suppose it will be a while before there's any evidence of declining interest (or not) in the profits of the comic companies.
I think one of the best points made in the above articles (not mine, the other two links) is that smaller events (such as the Sinestro Corps thing) are less likely to annoy you right out of the comic shop. It's tThe big company-wide events, where it's harder to find a book that's not involved in the event, that are the budget- and interest-killers. And it does seem to ring true--I'm getting (as far as I know) all of Sinestro Corps. I didn't come anywhere near getting all of Civil War or House of M (and I liked House of M!).
As for me?
Yes, comic events get me to consider buying (and sometimes actually buy) comics I don't already get.
Yes, this annoys me somewhat. Not enough not to buy the books, usually, but still I sometimes feel a bit put-upon.
No, I don't typically keep buying books I only picked up for the event. So the only gain there is pretty short-term, and I'm not sure the loss in customer good will is worth the temporary gain in money.
My wallet would be certainly be happier without the event books--hell, if I weren't buying them, maybe I could add another ongoing title or two.
But as long as I'm not losing what I like in comics--the characters and stories that were there before the event--I'm not likely to drop the comic habit altogether.
Although it was a lengthy X-books crossover back in the 90s that had me throwing my hands in the air and giving up on the hobby for the better part of ten years. So it can happen. And if it can happen to me--someone who typically waits out the less-than-stellar periods in her comics rather than dropping them--it can happen to anyone.
I've seen similar comments from other comic bloggers.
Now Newsarama and Sequentially Speaking are both talking about it. That's got to mean it's a real phenomenon, doesn't it? Although I suppose it will be a while before there's any evidence of declining interest (or not) in the profits of the comic companies.
I think one of the best points made in the above articles (not mine, the other two links) is that smaller events (such as the Sinestro Corps thing) are less likely to annoy you right out of the comic shop. It's tThe big company-wide events, where it's harder to find a book that's not involved in the event, that are the budget- and interest-killers. And it does seem to ring true--I'm getting (as far as I know) all of Sinestro Corps. I didn't come anywhere near getting all of Civil War or House of M (and I liked House of M!).
As for me?
Yes, comic events get me to consider buying (and sometimes actually buy) comics I don't already get.
Yes, this annoys me somewhat. Not enough not to buy the books, usually, but still I sometimes feel a bit put-upon.
No, I don't typically keep buying books I only picked up for the event. So the only gain there is pretty short-term, and I'm not sure the loss in customer good will is worth the temporary gain in money.
My wallet would be certainly be happier without the event books--hell, if I weren't buying them, maybe I could add another ongoing title or two.
But as long as I'm not losing what I like in comics--the characters and stories that were there before the event--I'm not likely to drop the comic habit altogether.
Although it was a lengthy X-books crossover back in the 90s that had me throwing my hands in the air and giving up on the hobby for the better part of ten years. So it can happen. And if it can happen to me--someone who typically waits out the less-than-stellar periods in her comics rather than dropping them--it can happen to anyone.
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